Intermountain Region

On I-15 just southeast of Pocatello, ID, take the Portneuf exit and follow signs to the Mink Creek Group Area. Signs indicating the Cherry Springs Nature Area are visible a few miles up the road.

Cherry Spring, after which the area is named, is visible from the parking area where lush growth looks out of place from the normal sage brush laden hills. Paved self-guided nature trails wind next to the stream allowing fishing and exploration access.

54 miles northeast of Rexburg, ID.

Big Springs is the source of the South Fork of the Henrys Fork River. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1980, the springs are the only first-magnitude spring ( discharges water at a rate of at least 100 cubic feet per second) in the country that emanate from rhyolitic lava flows of the Madison Plateau.

During your visit, note the large brown trout that greedily feed on tourist handouts. Fishing is not allowed near the springs.

Mesa Falls Scenic Byway can be reached from the south by traveling Highway 20, exiting at Ashton, ID and traveling east on Highway 47. From the north on Highway 20, take Highway 47 just after Island Park, ID and follow signs to Upper and Lower Mesa Falls.

Lower Mesa Falls offers an overlook that shows interesting ecosystem changes due to the mist coming off the falls. Lush, vibrant green vegetation appears out of place in comparison to the surrounding area.

Upper Mesa Falls has a boardwalk and trails with interpretive signs. The trails give great views of the falls and surrounding area. There are also impressive views of the volcanic rocks, basalt, and tuff, along these trails. The volcanic rocks are the main reason these falls occur. 1.3 million years ago, the area was covered in volcanic ash. The ash compressed and hardened to form the light colored rock, tuff. Streams began to erode the canyon and later, a thick layer of basalt from volcanic flows filled the canyon. The basalt formed a hard, resistant layer for the river to traverse on, but as the soft tuff is eroded away, large blocks of basalt tumble into the river and the waterfall recedes upstream.

Traveling Highway 20, exit at Ashton, ID and head east towards Marysville. Continue on Highway 47 until you see signs for Cave Falls. Travel Cave Falls Road until you come to the Cave Falls parking lot and trailhead.

Located just inside the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, many falls in this region were formed by flowing over fault lines and resistant lava ledges. Recent glacial activity has left little time for water's erosive powers to wear the land smooth. Bechler River Trail begins at the Cave Falls parking lot and continues on to many other falls in the area.

Located off of Highway 89 just northeast of Bear Lake, ID. Head west up St. Charles Canyon and travel about ten and half miles to the cave's parking lot.

The cave formed in Mississippian age limestone is about a half-mile long. Percolating ground water through fractures and joints has dissolved the calcium carbonate rock and re-deposited the minerals as interesting cave formations. Evidence of stream action and cave lakes or pools can be found in regions of the cave although no pools or streams are currently present. Tropical water fossils, such as horned coral, brachipods, and crinoid stems are visible in walls, ceilings, and floors.

The cave is open for tours from mid June to Labor Day. Tour times are one hour and fifteen minutes to one hour and thirty minutes and begin every thirty minutes. Tours sell out in the peak of the summer season so plan accordingly. There are 896 stairs round trip and the average cave temperature is about 40 degrees. Wear sturdy shoes and a jacket and take your camera along.

Located off of Highway 89 just northeast of Bear Lake, ID.  Turn west up Paris Canyon and drive about 5 miles on gravel/dirt road until you see a large, well-worn sign indicating the cave. Take the short, dirt trail from the parking lot to the cave entrance.

Ice never melts in this small cave located at the bottom of a doline. During the spring, water collects from the surrounding area and passes through the doline making exploration difficult. Late summer and early fall is probably the best time to visit. The entrance is easy to access and a boardwalk stretches across a standing water region near the opening. Ice formations are present in the interior of the cave and some scrambling over rocks is necessary to reach them. Old calcium carbonate deposits are visible on walls, ceilings, and floors. Take a flashlight, sturdy hiking shoes, and a jacket. A hard-hat is always a good idea as well. This cave should be fun for all ages to explore.